Early on Saturday morning, June 23rd 2012, Courtney and her family approached the pre-registration table smiling and in high spirits. Finally the day had come to celebrate the fact that this particular 5K race was benefiting the Turning Pointe foundation, furthering Courtney’s education and supporting Turning Pointe’s and Right Fit’s mission in meeting the needs of children and families touched by autism.

After marking in their attendance and upon receiving their race bibs and t-shirts, I noticed Courtney had come to the race PREPARED. Snugly on her back she had her back pack, stuffed with the essentials: fruit, nuts, water, and her sketch pad. As we began to make our way to the starting point, I realized we were missing on more essential.. “Benny the Bull.” Everyone at Right Fit knows that as Courtney and I make our way for our weekly walks, one of two (ok, sometimes both) air- filled animals must be with us, Benny the Bull and/or Danny the Dino. So it was only appropriate that one of the two join us on this day. It was Benny’s lucky day!

I often encourage parents, trainers, and coaches to look back and remember how much fun came from the countless hours many of us spent playing in our backyards, parks and physical education classes. Did you ever realize how this helped us develop basic movement fundamentals? I bet you were having too much fun to even notice! Take a look at youth today and compare how much "play" many of them get to experience.

A picture is worth a thousand words. I invite you to enjoy these photos of youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders enjoying fitness activities during the Raise the Bar Fitness Class. At Right Fit, we believe in the solid prinicple "A sound mind is a sound body." -Suzanne

It was not too long ago that we made the chief decision to bring a piano into our sensory room here at Right Fit. Our sole purpose of this decision was to be able to incorporate music into the Raise the Bar hour, providing the children a musical outlet to listen and/or create a joyful noise while also increasing fine motor skills.
I can remember the first time Karan and I sat down at the piano together. I questioned, “Would you like to play piano?” He repeated the word piano in a questioning tone and then began to touch the keys. I too began to initiate sound. It was within a minute of playing, that Karan began to mimic the same tune in which I was creating. He continued to echo multiple tunes in a row, astonishingly utilizing both the left and right hand. Although he used but one finger on each hand to create each tune, I was amazed and very pleased that I discovered this special talent that Karan possessed. As a previous piano teacher and student of piano myself, I hardly ever came across children that could hear a song and immediately play effortlessly.

Suzanne Gray of Right Fit and Joe Bresingham of Athletico were interviewed by Dr. Robert Weil on the Sports Doctor Radio Show - WDCB 90.9 FM. The show takes place every Thursday from 6:30p.m. – 7:00p.m.